The Influence of Colour Preferences on the Foraging Behavior of Pieris napi L. (Lepidoptera, Pieridae)
O. K. NUZHNOVA, N. V. VASILEVSKAYA
Murmansk State Pedagogical University, 183720, Murmansk, Kapitan Egorov str., 15
nujnovaolga84@mail.ru
Keywords: Pieris napi, behavioral experiment, color preferences, foraging behavior
Pages: 61-67
Abstract
Color preferences of Pieris napi (Linnaeus, 1758) in relation to its foraging behavior were investigated in the experiment with artificial flower models. It was revealed that newly emerged inexperienced butterflies searching for nectar prefer visiting blue or red flower models, yellow ones are chosen considerably more rarely. Subsequently the individuals exhibit color constancy, showing a strong preference for the first chosen color. Males and females of the studied species have the same color preferences.
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